We spent our three nights within the South of France on the 74-room 4 Seasons Grand-Resort du Cap-Ferrat. That is such an unbelievable property that’s a blast from the previous, with the trendy facilities and flawless service you’d anticipate from a 4 Seasons.
How you can ebook the 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat
Full disclosure — whereas we pay the going price for a overwhelming majority of our resort stays, on this case Ford had gained a prize by means of work with 4 Seasons, for a week-long keep at any 4 Seasons property. We determined to spend 4 nights on the 4 Seasons Paris George V (which I’ve already reviewed), after which we determined to spend the opposite three nights on the 4 Seasons Grand-Resort du Cap-Ferrat (which I’m reviewing right here, although all opinions expressed are my very own).
So far as reserving the 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat goes, charges range all year long. Like most lodges within the South of France, the 4 Seasons is just open seasonally, although it’s a somewhat lengthy season — the resort is often open from March by means of November. Throughout off-peak durations you’ll discover that charges begin at round 400 EUR per night time, whereas throughout peak durations you’ll discover that charges begin at over 2,000 EUR per night time.
Anyway, one of the best ways to ebook any 4 Seasons property is thru a journey advisor affiliated with the 4 Seasons Most well-liked Companion program. You pay the identical price you’ll discover instantly on 4 Seasons’ web site, however you’ll obtain further perks, together with issues like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and a resort credit score.
Reserving 4 Seasons properties by means of Most well-liked Companion is best than reserving by means of packages like Amex Advantageous Inns & Resorts. That’s as a result of upgrades are prioritized for Most well-liked Companion friends, and on prime of that Most well-liked Companion perks will be stacked with just about any publicly out there 4 Seasons price.
You possibly can’t beat getting all of those further perks only for reserving by means of an eligible journey advisor. Ford is after all more than pleased to assist anybody ebook 4 Seasons properties by means of Most well-liked Companion, and will be reached at [email protected] He doesn’t cost any reserving charges for 4 Seasons properties.
Grand-Resort du Cap-Ferrat historical past
As you might have guessed based mostly on the title, that is one among 4 Seasons’ historic properties. This used to easily be generally known as Grand-Resort du Cap-Ferrat, till 4 Seasons took over the resort in 2015, at which level the 4 Seasons branding was included into the title.
The historical past of this property dates again nicely over 100 years. The land was first bought by King Leopold II of Belgium within the late nineteenth century. Finally the land was bought, and a resort opened in 1908. That didn’t final lengthy, as a result of in 1914 battle broke out, at which level the resort was reworked right into a hospital. It was ultimately reworked again right into a resort, and it was within the Thirties when this grew to become an actual scene.
Apparently again within the day this resort was solely a winter getaway, because it was closed in summer season. The South of France has numerous sunshine even in winter, which made it a well-liked escape. That’s fairly a distinction to these days, the place the resort is hottest in summer season, and is closed in winter.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat location
The 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat is a roughly 45 minute drive from Good Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE). It’s not very far, however site visitors will be unhealthy, particularly in summer season. When coming from the airport, Cap-Ferrat is basically in the identical route as Monaco, which is the other way of Saint Tropez.
In the event you’re simply in search of a fast journey to the South of France it may be good to keep away from Saint Tropez, for the reason that site visitors will be terrible. There’s just one street, and if there’s an accident it’ll make you yearn for being caught in Sao Paulo rush hour site visitors.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat foyer & public areas
The 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat is situated on a 17-acre property. There was a gate to enter the “compound,” and from there it was only a quick drive to the primary constructing, the place each reception and our room have been situated.
The arrivals expertise was seamless — the safety guard appears to telephones reception when friends arrive, so then you definitely’re warmly greeted as you pull up. The bellmen helped us with our baggage, whereas the entrance workplace employees rapidly received us checked in.
The foyer was merely beautiful, and struck the proper stability between being previous world (given the resort’s historical past) and being nicely maintained and splendid.
The reception desk was situated simply inside the doorway and to the left, and behind that was the concierge desk.
Then there was some extra seating within the middle of the foyer, proper subsequent to the staircase and the cool basic elevator.
Previous that was the most important sitting space within the foyer, with enormous home windows overlooking the backyard after which the ocean within the distance.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat Sea-View Suite
We have been assigned room quantity 9, a Sea-View Suite (the resort ended up being completely full after we have been there, and the resort has a excessive share of suites, so we lucked out). We may entry it by taking the staircase up a stage from reception, after which our room was the final one on the finish of the corridor on the left.
Sea-view suites are marketed as being round 600 sq. ft. They’re (understandably) not enormous, provided that area comes at a premium in a constructing like this, although the area was nicely utilized. Inside the doorway to the room was an entryway. To the left was the closet and loo, and to the fitting was the lounge and bed room.
The lounge was fairly massive, and featured a sofa, a chair, and a desk with seating for 2, which may very well be used as a desk when you’re working, or as a eating desk when you order room service.
Ready on the lounge desk was a welcome amenity, consisting of a bottle of champagne and a scrumptious tart.
There was additionally a minibar alongside one of many partitions, which featured complimentary tea & espresso, plus a wide range of drinks and snacks for buy.
The bed room was separated from the lounge by sliding double doorways.
The bed room was cozy, and featured the standard signature 4 Seasons mattress, which I think about to be essentially the most snug resort mattress on the market. The bed room additionally had a wall-mounted TV.
All rooms featured views of the resort’s gardens, and the ocean within the background. It certain can be good to have some out of doors area given the proper summer season local weather right here, however after all that’s not one thing that was frequent in development 100+ years in the past.
Again within the route of the doorway was a big walk-in closet. Apparently you needed to stroll by means of the closet to get to the lavatory. The toilet was nicely appointed, and featured double sinks, a walk-in bathe, a soaking tub, and a partitioned off rest room.
Toiletries have been from Hermes, which certain is cool.
Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free, and it simple simple to attach. All-in-all, what a beautiful suite with lovely views. 4 Seasons does a fantastic job with maximizing area with room design, particularly for properties are are housed in older buildings, like this one.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat Membership Dauphin
Membership Dauphin is the 4 Seasons’ daytime membership, with a pool and restaurant. Cap-Ferrat is a peninsula with a bunch of cliffs, so it doesn’t have a standard seaside, however somewhat has swimming pools, and docks off of which you’ll be able to soar into the ocean. 4 Seasons friends can entry Membership Dauphin without cost, and it’s simple to get to — simply stroll out the again of the resort and down the steps.
You simply exit the 4 Seasons’ gate, after which throughout the road is the doorway to the membership. You simply have to present your room quantity and also you’re admitted. For the document, that is totally managed by the 4 Seasons, so it has the identical nice service as the remainder of the resort, and you may cost every part to your room.
From the doorway you possibly can stroll down the trail in direction of the membership — it’s a wonderful stroll, because the panorama is breathtaking.
Alternatively you possibly can take a funicular down, which is enjoyable as nicely.
The centerpiece of Membership Dauphin is a large seawater infinity pool overlooking the ocean.
There’s tons of seating across the pool, so it is best to by no means have hassle discovering an empty chair, even when the resort is at 100% occupancy (as if twas after we have been there).
Along with the primary pool, there’s additionally a youngsters pool, which is correct subsequent to the resort’s youngsters membership.
Additionally subsequent to the pool is the Membership Dauphin restaurant, which is open day by day for lunch. I’ll overview {that a} bit additional down, after I discuss eating.
For these trying to go for a dip within the sea, on the very backside of Membership Dauphin there’s an space with sea entry, although don’t anticipate to swim very far.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat spa & fitness center
The 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat has an unbelievable spa and fitness center advanced. It’s situated in a separate constructing from the primary one. It may be accessed by strolling out the entrance door and up a set of stairs, and following the indicators in direction of the fitness center and spa.
Alternatively there’s an underground walkway that goes there from the primary constructing. Within the walkway are all types of images of among the well-known friends which have stayed on the property through the years, in order that’s fairly cool.
Whereas we didn’t get any remedies, the spa regarded spectacular, and it featured 5 remedies rooms, plus two out of doors pavilions the place spa remedies may very well be carried out. On prime of that, the spa had an indoor pool with a counter-current system, a whirlpool, a sauna, a steam room, and water remedy showers. You possibly can discover the 4 Seasons spa remedy menu right here.
The 4 Seasons spa additionally had the fitness center, which may very well be accessed by friends 24/7. Whereas not as spectacular because the gyms at another 4 Seasons properties, there was number of trendy tools.
There was even an out of doors part to the fitness center — I really like how 4 Seasons usually has no less than a part of the fitness center outdoor.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat eating
The 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat has a wide range of eating choices, Within the peak of summer season, all eating choices are outdoor, climate allowing. In different phrases, whereas eating places have indoor areas, they’re merely not used, as a result of why would you when when the climate is as excellent as it’s within the South of France?
The eating choices on the 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat embody the next:
- La Veranda is the resort’s all-day eating restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the restaurant is described as providing “a menu harking back to a classy French Riviera bistro,” and the cooks mix influences from Italy and the Mediterranean Sea
- Membership Dauphin is the resort’s poolside restaurant, and it’s open for lunch
- Le Bar is the resort’s predominant bar, and it’s open within the evenings and serves wine, cocktails, and light-weight bites
- Le Cap is the resort’s high quality eating restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Yoric Tieche
- Then there’s in-room eating, which has meals from a number of eating shops, and extra
We managed to take a look at the entire resort’s eating shops, besides Le Cap (we simply didn’t have the time, and the times of the week didn’t line up completely there, because it’s not open day-after-day).
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat La Veranda (breakfast)
Breakfast is served day by day at La Veranda from 7:30AM till 11AM. The restaurant is situated proper behind the resort, and is basically the resort’s prime terrace (since there are a few terraces because the staircase goes additional down).
There have been dozens of tables, and so they had pure shade from the large bushes that the restaurant is constructed round.
The breakfast menu learn as follows:
Remember that you obtain complimentary breakfast for reserving by means of 4 Seasons Most well-liked Companion, so savvy individuals shouldn’t be paying for breakfast right here. The usual breakfast is the Veranda Signature Breakfast, which incorporates scorching drinks and recent juice, fruit salad and pastries, entry to the buffet, after which a scorching merchandise from the menu.
Espresso was at all times served rapidly, and was tasty. I usually simply had the filtered espresso, which I loved.
There have been a wide range of recent juices as nicely, and people have been served with the recent fruit salad and pastry basket.
Then there was the chilly buffet, which is meant to complement the new gadgets that you would be able to order. One superior factor is that each single factor on the buffet (nicely, I assume except the entire fruit) is selfmade. The buffet included every part from cereal, to muffins, to cheese and chilly cuts, to muesli and yogurt, to tarts and sandwiches. The style of every part was merely beautiful.
Then there have been the wonderful scorching choices, which included each some staple menu gadgets, plus some rotating day by day specials. Beneath is a have a look at among the tasty dishes that we loved.
As I at all times point out in 4 Seasons critiques, I really like how 4 Seasons properties constantly have complimentary espresso & tea in lobbies within the mornings. On this case there have been even some sweets to go together with it. That is such a small factor that I respect a lot — personally I prefer to go to the fitness center earlier than breakfast after I’m touring, however I can’t do this with out a good cup of espresso (or three) first.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat Membership Dauphin (lunch)
We had lunch twice at Membership Dauphin, provided that that is the place friends appear to spend a lot of the times. The restaurant is kind of massive, so whereas you can also make reservations, it’s not likely wanted.
The lunch menu learn as follows:
To start out we have been provided crackers with a tzatziki unfold, plus some bread.
The drinks on the restaurant have been glorious…
Someday we shared just a few appetizers to start out, together with the falafel, pink hummus, and pink pepper & feta unfold.
We each had a nicoise salad — on reflection we should always have shared, as a result of it was huge (and scrumptious).
The opposite day I had the eggplant and native goat cheese fusilli, whereas Ford had the roasted hen with zaatar, native zucchini, and candied lemon.
We loved every part that we tried.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat Le Bar (cocktails)
Le Bar is situated simply beneath La Veranda, and it’s a fantastic place to seize a drink within the evenings earlier than dinner. I liked the setting, as you had a fantastic backyard and sea view.
The cocktails, together with the presentation, have been fairly superior as nicely…
There’s even a surprisingly glorious choice of sushi.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat La Veranda (dinner)
We had dinner one night at La Veranda, the resort’s all-day eating restaurant. The dinner menu learn as follows:
The meal began with an amuse bouche that consisted of a variety, together with some bread.
We didn’t have starters, however somewhat ordered mains straight away. I had the bouillabaisse, whereas Ford had the artisanal tagliolini with octopus bolognese and chianti. We liked each dishes, from the style to the presentation.
For dessert we determined to have two fruity choices, together with the bell pepper and raspberry harissa with candy chips, and coconut milk rice with unique fruits.
The whole meal was prime notch.
Different 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat eating venues
As talked about above, Le Cap is the 4 Seasons’ most premium restaurant. We didn’t eat there, but it surely has an identical setting to La Veranda. Le Cap is simply throughout from Le Bar, and beneath La Veranda.
The 4 Seasons additionally has some indoor eating area that may very well be used for both restaurant, however with excellent climate it wasn’t being utilized.
There was additionally an indoor bar space simply off the foyer, although once more, it wasn’t getting used this time of 12 months.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat service
4 Seasons constantly nails it in relation to service. The corporate appears to rent for persona, after which prepare rather well. Just about the entire staff we interacted with weren’t solely personable and charming, but in addition genuinely keen to assist. This was true throughout entrance workplace employees, restaurant staff, housekeepers, pool attendants, and extra.
4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat scene & space
Clearly the 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat is kind of a scene, and the individuals watching is endlessly wonderful. That being mentioned, Cap-Ferrat as such just isn’t practically as a lot of a scene as Saint Tropez, for instance. In Saint Tropez you’ve a numerous variety of seaside golf equipment, lodges, and eating places.
Cap-Ferrat, then again, largely has homes, and the 4 Seasons is without doubt one of the solely lodges within the space. Consequently, the realm is basically quiet, and also you virtually really feel such as you’re in a residential space. In the event you’re into climbing, strolling, stepping, or no matter you’d prefer to name it, the 4 Seasons is an unbeatable place to remain. There’s a path proper alongside the ocean that goes for miles, and we walked that each morning.
I needed to snicker after I noticed a Virgin Voyages ship parked simply off the coast close to Cap-Ferrat — I used to have the ability to see that ship from my condominium in Miami across the begin of the pandemic, and now I noticed it in Cap-Ferrat. Hah.
Though Cap-Ferrat is quiet, don’t fear, you gained’t get bored. There are just a few seaside golf equipment not removed from the resort that you would be able to go to in the course of the day.
Cap-Ferrat can also be solely 20-Half-hour from Monaco and Good, do you have to wish to go to both place throughout your keep, given all of the eating places and buying that will get you entry to.
Backside line
The 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat combines the very best of a historic resort within the South of France with the standard 4 Seasons facilities and repair you’d anticipate. The resort options fantastically appointed rooms, nice eating places, a pool membership, and a particular setting.
It goes with out saying the resort is costly, however that’s to be anticipated — the height season is brief, and for that matter this resort appears to run near 100% occupancy in July and August, with many friends returning 12 months after 12 months.
In the event you take pleasure in luxurious lodges within the South of France however have beforehand primarily gone to Saint Tropez, Cap-Ferrat is a good, quieter various (or maybe complement, when you’re staying for longer).
In the event you’ve stayed on the 4 Seasons Cap-Ferrat, what was your expertise like?